Margaret and Maria

Hurricane Ian disrupted our lives in many different ways. Some of us experienced the inconveniences of power outages, boil water notices and debris cleanup. For others, the shock of a collapsed roof, the discovery of a flooded home and the unfortunate car damage felt like a neverending nightmare. Margaret and Maria know that feeling.

“We lost everything,” Margaret explained. “Our mobile home flooded, the roof is gone and the only way to get into the neighborhood is by boat.”

While some of us walked around the neighborhood to survey the damage or begin cleanup efforts, the two friends found themselves in a church parking lot in Kissimmee. They were among 90 cars waiting as Second Harvest’s semi-truck pulled in with bottled water, nonperishable food and ready-to-eat meals.

Margaret and Maria left all of their belongings behind when they evacuated. Now they are starting over.

“We have each other,” said Maria. “We are glad to be here and to receive this food.” Disasters often bring out the best in people. In the days after the storm, volunteers rallied to help prepare meals and pack food boxes. Community partners hosted pop-up food distributions in hard-hit neighborhoods. Generous donors gave additional funds to support their neighbors in stressful moments.

Thanks to you, neighbors like Margaret and Maria have food today and for weeks to come as they start rebuilding their lives.

Inspired to help more of our neighbors like Margaret and Maria? Find ways to help!

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